Jordan Bos snatched a late winner as a lacklustre Australia edged Cameroon 1-0 for a confidence-boosting victory as they fine-tune preparations ahead of the World Cup.
There were few opportunities in the dour friendly at Sydney’s Stadium Australia until the Feyenoord midfielder pounced with five minutes left.
Ajdin Hrustic missed a penalty in the much-needed win for a side that suffered two losses in the previous international window, falling 1-0 to Venezuela and 3-0 to Colombia.
The clash was part of the FIFA Series 2026, a mini-tournament that also features fellow World Cup qualifier Curacao, who were beaten 2-0 by China in an earlier match at the same venue.
“First half we couldn’t really break through, and then second half we kept on coming,” Bos said.
“We had some chances and it was coming down to the last 10 minutes, and I got the goal in and we got the win. So that’s important.”
The Socceroos will be at a sixth straight World Cup and coach Tony Popovic used the match to run his eye over some inexperienced players.
With a host of places in his World Cup squad still up for grabs, he handed debuts to 18-year-old Colorado Rapids defender Lucas Herrington and Poland-based striker Deni Juric.
Neither player showed nerves in a lively opening as the hosts pressed for an early breakthrough.
But they struggled to keep control against a young Cameroon side rebuilding after failing to qualify for the World Cup.
Chances in the first half were few and far between on a slippery pitch, with both sides missing a creative spark.
Popovic replaced Juric and Martin Boyle with Awer Mabil and Nestory Irankunda up front for the second half and the intensity lifted.
It culminated with Cameroon debutant Oliver Kamdem conceding a penalty with 20 minutes left, but goalkeeper Devis Epassy went the right way to deny Hrustic.
Irankunda twice went close as the clock ticked down before Bos’s late heroics, beating a defender after being fed the ball by Paul Okon.
Australia are in World Cup Group D with co-hosts the United States, Paraguay and a yet-to-be-determined European nation.
AFP
”. The pictures showed the 41-year-old with a new copper-yellow hair, a clear departure from the dark brown style he had worn for years, including during Portugal’s World Cup campaign.
